This context report is an examination of the Newport school district in Newport, Rhode Island, and more specifically,Coggeshall Elementary School. It provides general information about the school, its associated district, and the surrounding community. It is also provides you with specific data taken from published statistical reports. The information for the individual school district is compared with averages or aggregate data for all schools in the state. In addition to giving a description, this context statement also serves as an evaluation of the school system’s effectiveness and efficiency and provides the reader with findings regarding the school’s overall performance.
Community Background
The English settlers founded the city of Newport in 1639. Since that time, Newport has bustled with diversity. In the 2000 U.S. Census, the community of Newport, Rhode Island, had a total population of 82,144 people. Of those, 39,212 are male and 42,932 are female. Newport’s population is 84% white compared to Rhode Island’s average of 85%. As for African Americans, they make up 8% of the population, and American Indian and Alaskan Native make up about 1%. These Newport percentages are reasonably higher then Rhode Island’s. On the other hand, the Asian population in Newport is 1.3%, which is less than Rhode Island’s percentage of 2.3%. The Hispanic and Latino population for Newport is also less than average at 5.5%, whereas Rhode Island’s population is at about 9%. Both Newport and Rhode Island have a .1% population of Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islands. Also, about 5% of the total population is under the age of 5 years old, 21% is under the age of 18, and 16% of the population is 65 years old and over. Almost 80% of the population is 18 years and older. (U.S. Census, 2000)
The education level among adults is relatively high in Newport. In Newport, 87% of the residing adults have a High School Degree. This has been compared to Rhode Island’s 78% of their population that have acquired High School Degrees. Looking beyond high school, an average of 26% of Rhode Island’s adult population has their bachelor’s degree. Newport, on the other hand, is at 41.5% of their population that have a bachelor’s degree. (U.S. Census, 2000)
The median household income for a family residing in Newport is $40,669 while the Rhode Island average is $42,090. This means that the average family living in Newport earns slightly less annually than the average family in Rhode Island as a whole. The percentage of children that are living in families that are below the poverty threshold is 24%, which is very high compared to Rhode Island’s 16.5%. Also, of these children, 44% are living in single-parent homes as opposed to 30% of the state of Rhode Island’s children living in single-parent homes. This means that only 56% of Newport’s children are living in a two-parent home while Rhode Island is at 70%. (RI Kids Count, 2007c)
The crime level for Newport is much higher than the U.S. average. Crime is rated on a scale of one to ten. One is good or safe and ten is bad or dangerous. Newport’s violent and property crime level is a six. The United States’ average is a three. These numbers have been based on data provided by the FBI. The violent crimes are defined as murder and manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery and aggravated assault. The property crimes are defined as burglary, larceny, theft, motor vehicle theft and arson. All of the property crimes do not contain any force nor do they pose a threat to their victims. In short, Newport has a significantly high crime rate. (Best Places, n.d.)
Another important issue in the community is the use of alcohol, cigarettes and drugs. In Newport’s Middle School, 14% of children have tried alcohol and in Newport’s high school, 45% of kids have tried alcohol. This figure is right in line with the state average of 44%. It was found that 5% of Newport’s Middle School children use cigarettes and 28% of High School students, which is in comp
Introduction
This context report is an examination of the Newport school district in Newport, Rhode Island, and more specifically,Coggeshall Elementary School. It provides general information about the school, its associated district, and the surrounding community. It is also provides you with specific data taken from published statistical reports. The information for the individual school district is compared with averages or aggregate data for all schools in the state. In addition to giving a description, this context statement also serves as an evaluation of the school system’s effectiveness and efficiency and provides the reader with findings regarding the school’s overall performance.Community Background
The English settlers founded the city of Newport in 1639. Since that time, Newport has bustled with diversity. In the 2000 U.S. Census, the community of Newport, Rhode Island, had a total population of 82,144 people. Of those, 39,212 are male and 42,932 are female. Newport’s population is 84% white compared to Rhode Island’s average of 85%. As for African Americans, they make up 8% of the population, and American Indian and Alaskan Native make up about 1%. These Newport percentages are reasonably higher then Rhode Island’s. On the other hand, the Asian population in Newport is 1.3%, which is less than Rhode Island’s percentage of 2.3%. The Hispanic and Latino population for Newport is also less than average at 5.5%, whereas Rhode Island’s population is at about 9%. Both Newport and Rhode Island have a .1% population of Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islands. Also, about 5% of the total population is under the age of 5 years old, 21% is under the age of 18, and 16% of the population is 65 years old and over. Almost 80% of the population is 18 years and older. (U.S. Census, 2000)The education level among adults is relatively high in Newport. In Newport, 87% of the residing adults have a High School Degree. This has been compared to Rhode Island’s 78% of their population that have acquired High School Degrees. Looking beyond high school, an average of 26% of Rhode Island’s adult population has their bachelor’s degree. Newport, on the other hand, is at 41.5% of their population that have a bachelor’s degree. (U.S. Census, 2000)
The median household income for a family residing in Newport is $40,669 while the Rhode Island average is $42,090. This means that the average family living in Newport earns slightly less annually than the average family in Rhode Island as a whole. The percentage of children that are living in families that are below the poverty threshold is 24%, which is very high compared to Rhode Island’s 16.5%. Also, of these children, 44% are living in single-parent homes as opposed to 30% of the state of Rhode Island’s children living in single-parent homes. This means that only 56% of Newport’s children are living in a two-parent home while Rhode Island is at 70%. (RI Kids Count, 2007c)
The crime level for Newport is much higher than the U.S. average. Crime is rated on a scale of one to ten. One is good or safe and ten is bad or dangerous. Newport’s violent and property crime level is a six. The United States’ average is a three. These numbers have been based on data provided by the FBI. The violent crimes are defined as murder and manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery and aggravated assault. The property crimes are defined as burglary, larceny, theft, motor vehicle theft and arson. All of the property crimes do not contain any force nor do they pose a threat to their victims. In short, Newport has a significantly high crime rate. (Best Places, n.d.)
Another important issue in the community is the use of alcohol, cigarettes and drugs. In Newport’s Middle School, 14% of children have tried alcohol and in Newport’s high school, 45% of kids have tried alcohol. This figure is right in line with the state average of 44%. It was found that 5% of Newport’s Middle School children use cigarettes and 28% of High School students, which is in comp